In the fight against COVID-19, Latin America presents a set of important challenges: underfunded healthcare systems, largely informal labor markets, extreme poverty and vulnerability, and a human displacement crisis that has forced almost 5 million Venezuelans into exile.
Peru hosted close to 1 million Venezuelan citizens as it declared a State of Emergency on 16 March, closing international borders and imposing compulsory social isolation. This measure was extended four times, and lasted until 30 June (the lockdown is on-going in seven regions with high infection rates).
Undoubtedly, the state of emergency has had a negative impact on the Peruvian population, and especially on all those employed informally (the informal sector makes up over 70% of Peru’s economy). However, the burden carried by Venezuelan immigrants, or refugees, is even more severe due to their informal working conditions, precarious legal status and lack of social networks.
